John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night , etc.] This was not a common natural dream, but an extraordinary, divine, and supernatural one, a prophetic dream, a night vision, such as God used to speak in to his prophets; in which he had the full use of his reasoning powers, was under divine impressions, and in a spiritual frame of mind, and in the exercise of grace; it was not a mere dream that the Lord did appear to him, but he really did appear to him while sleeping and dreaming, by some display of his glory in some way or another: and God said, ask what I shall give thee ; he did not hereby dream that God said to him, but he really did say this; bid him ask what he would and it should be given him; he knew what he designed to give, but he would have it asked of him, as he will be inquired of by all his people to do that for them which he has intended and provided for them; and it is encouragement enough for them to ask, since he has promised to give.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-15 - Solomon's dream was not a common one. While his bodily powers wer locked up in sleep, the powers of his soul were strengthened; he wa enabled to receive the Divine vision, and to make a suitable choice God, in like manner, puts us in the ready way to be happy, by assurin us we shall have what we need, and pray for. Solomon's making such choice when asleep, and the powers of reason least active, showed it came from the grace of God. Having a humble sense of his own wants an weakness, he pleads, Lord, I am but a little child. The more wise an considerate men are, the better acquainted they are with their ow weakness, and the more jealous of themselves. Solomon begs of God to give him wisdom. We must pray for it, Jas 1:5, that it may help us in our particular calling, and the various occasions we have. Those ar accepted of God, who prefer spiritual blessings to earthly good. It wa a prevailing prayer, and prevailed for more than he asked. God gave his wisdom, such as no other prince was ever blessed with; and also gav him riches and honour. If we make sure of wisdom and grace, these wil bring outward prosperity with them, or sweeten the want of it. The way to get spiritual blessings, is to wrestle with God in prayer for them The way to get earthly blessings, is to refer ourselves to God concerning them. Solomon has wisdom given him, because he did ask it and wealth, because he did not.
Original Hebrew בגבעון1391 נראה7200 יהוה3068 אל413 שׁלמה8010 בחלום2472 הלילה3915 ויאמר559 אלהים430 שׁאל7592 מה4100 אתן׃5414
